The web measure index 2008 is based upon a five-stage model, which builds upon the previous levels of sophistication of a state’s online presence. As a country migrates upwards through the various stages, it is ranked higher in the web measure index. Assessment of the web measure index was based on a questionnaire, which allocated a binary value to the indicator based on the presence/absence of specific electronic facilities/services available. The primary site was the national portal or the official government home page of the countries examined. Where no official portals were available, other governmental sites were assessed. To ensure consistency, the same number of functionalities of the same or similar sites was assessed in each country. Each ministerial site was assessed on the basis of the same set of questions.

§Telecommunication Infrastructure Index

The telecommunication infrastructure index 2008 is a composite index of five primary indices relating to a country’s infrastructure capacity with regard to the delivery of eGovernment services. These are:

1. Internet Users /100 persons

2. PCs /100 persons

3. Main Telephones Lines /100 persons

4. Cellular telephones /100 persons

5. Broad banding /100 persons

Each index represents 20 per cent of the overall telecommunication infrastructure index.

§Human Capital Index

The human capital index is a composite of the adult literacy rate and the combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio, with two thirds weight given to the adult literacy rate and one third to the gross enrolment ratio.

The e-government readiness index is a composite index comprising the web measure index the telecommunication infrastructure index and the human capital index All measures provided refer to the year of 2007